Residential Demolition: Various Techniques That Can Be Employed

Posted on: 24 February 2017

Although demolition functions to take down a structure, it has to be done in in a regulated manner. Not only is the flyaway debris factored into the equation, but the contractors also need to consider the purpose of demolishing the building, how the waste will be disposed of as well as the area in which the demolition will take place. If you are considering residential demolition, the following are some of the various techniques that can be employed.

Implosion demolition

With this demolition technique, the structure will explode in on itself. This functions to allow the safe sequential elimination of the supports that keep the structure upright. One of the most important aspects of this type of demolition is timing, as the explosives are supposed to go off simultaneously. This way, the structure will collapse in on itself uniformly, reducing the risk of incomplete demolition.

Implosion demolition is a popular option for residential structures that are in urban areas, as space tend to be limited in those places. Before this type of demolition can be undertaken, the contractors will have to go over the blueprints in detail to determine where the core of the structure is. A site assessment also has to be accrued out beforehand to ensure that the demolition process does not affect any surrounding buildings.

Crane and ball demolition

As the name suggests, this type of demolition makes use of a crane that swings a heavy wrecking ball. It is one of the oldest demolition techniques and has stood the test of time since it remains an effective solution. However, crane and ball demolition does have a number of limitations, and this is why it is not the go-to solution for all demolition projects. Firstly, the size of the building will dictate whether a crane and ball would be suitable. For instance, a building may exceed the height of the crane, making it an invalid demolition option.

Secondly, proximity to power lines and other forms of infrastructure may also limit the use of the crane and ball as it could lead to damage. One thing to note about crane and ball demolition is that full control when swinging the ball is a vital requirement. Therefore, as much as it may seem that this can be carried out as a DIY project for an old shed or decrepit structure, this type of demolition should only be left to the professionals.

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